Delivery Format:

•  Total Duration: 9@60-90 minute monthly sessions (September through May- released first Wednesday of the Month); 2@45 minute monthly coaching sessions (Total 18) 3:30-4:15 2nd/4th Wednesdays
•  Mode: Flipped learning model.  The application portion of the class (monthly sessions) will be virtual, in-person, or hybrid delivery. 
•  Structure: asynchronous sessions will be sent out the first Wednesday of the month; coaching 2nd/4th Wednesday Virtually  45 minutes in each AEA region provided by an EPC. The EPC will send out the calendar invite for the staff in their region.
•  Assessment: Ongoing reflection, applied tasks, self-assessment (pre and post assessment)
•  Total Time Commitment: 13.5 hours of core learning and 13.5 additional hours in coaching activities.  Potential total time is up to 27 hours.
  Attendance: Attendance and participation in all components of professional learning are highly recommended to ensure depth of learning and fidelity of implementation of newly learned skills and practices. If this requirement is unable to be met and sustained participation will be reviewed with local administration.

Participants will:

•  Explain key federal and Iowa-specific special education laws (e.g., IDEA, Section 504, FAPE) and their implications for practice.
• Recognize and apply legal and ethical responsibilities in special education, including navigating the balance between compliance and best practice.
• Interpret evaluation data and IEPs to identify student needs, skill gaps, and present levels of performance.
• Develop meaningful, standards-aligned IEP goals and break them into measurable, teachable components.
• Design and implement effective specially designed instruction (SDI) using evidence-based practices and instructional strategies.
• Differentiate instruction and plan for appropriate accommodations, modifications, and supports aligned with student needs.
• Collect and use progress monitoring data to inform instruction, adjust goals, and support data-based decision making (DBDM).
• Navigate the special education process in Iowa, including Child Find, IEP development, FBAs/BIPs, ESY, Alternate Assessment, LRE, and PWN.
• Facilitate compliant and collaborative IEP meetings, fostering engagement with families and team members.
• Communicate effectively with families and staff using tools like the ACHIEVE system and Family Portal to support transparency and partnership.

Course Content

• Legal and Ethical Foundations
• SDI Framework
• Special Education Process and Procedures/ACHIEVE
• Collaboration and Communication